Book Week 2023: Resources, Links and Ideas
Book Week is arguably the biggest event in the school library calendar. Book Week gives us an excuse to celebrate reading, Australian literature, school libraries and the people who bring books to children – from booksellers to school library staff, parents, teachers and beyond.
The theme for Book Week 2023 is Read, Grow, Inspire.
Official Artwork, Merchandise and More
You’ll find the theme details and information on the CBCA website. This year, Matt Ottley has created the wonderfull illustrations for the theme. The CBCA have outdone themselves with a fantastic range of free downloadable graphics, posters and more, which you will find on the CBCA website.
They also sell a range of themed merchandise, everything from posters and pins to bunting, stickers and planners. You can find it all here or purchase through your state CBCA branch.
Book of the Year Shortlist and Notables
A big part of Book Week is celebrating the CBCA Book of the Year Shortlist and Notables. You’ll find the Shortlist here (along with more information about each book, resources and links to teacher notes), the Notables List here and some ideas for displaying these titles here and here.
Teaching Activities
My first stop every year, when planning for Book Week is the Ipswich District Teacher Librarian Network Book Week publication. It is full of ideas for activities, colouring in, lesson ideas, printables, bookmarks and so much more.
The team at Zart also create a booklet with activity ideas. You can find and purchase it on their website.
Syba Signs also produce a special catalogue for Book Week and Book Week merchanise.
Costumes
Often, one of the highlights in a school library celebration of Book Week are the costume parades and character dress up days. While these are lots of fun, they can also be stressful for parents, students and staff alike. Here are some links for quick and easy costume ideas.
Costume ideas from things in your wardrobe
Costume ideas for kids from Children’s Books Daily.
Costume ideas for educators from Children’s Books Daily
Book Week Bookmarks
I love using Canva for all my graphics, posters and Instagram posts and I had a lot of fun creating these bookmarks for our school library. You can download the PDF printable here. Feel free to use for your own school library but please do not share or reproduce for commercial purposes.
Activity Ideas
This year we will be making t-shirts for the staff using my graphic (which I made on Canva) and the school’s Cricut machines and heat-press. We might even run a Book Week t-shirt or book bag making session for students. Here is the SVG download of the graphic to upload into Cricut Design Space. And here is a step-by-step guide to creating your own design, uploading an SVG into Design Space and making t-shirts with a Cricut machine.
Seed libraries. I absolutely love the idea of a seed library. Martha Bongiorno created one in her school library. You can find out more on the Innovation Academy eXchange library website.
I am also thinking we’ll try our hand at macrame pot hangers. Our new space could use some greenery and it will be a fun activity (if we don’t tie ourselves in knots).
How cute are these paper and felt cacti?
They don’t come with instructions, so it will be up to the students to figure out how to create them. Love how bright and colourful they are.
There is no shortage of paper flower templates and ideas. I’ve collated just a few on my Aussie Book Week Pinterest board.
Facebook Group and collaborative Pinterest board.
I am continually surprised and delighted by what the Aussies Book Week Facebook group has become. With over 7000 members, there are so many incredible ideas, displays, events and activities shared every day for Book Week and other celebrations in school libraries. If you are not yet a member, please join us. If you are not on Facebook, check out the group’s Pinterest board.
You can also check out my Pinterest board, Library – Book Week, which I will be updating to reflect the 2023 theme.
Want more Book Week ideas? Check out these activity and display ideas.
Thank you for your lovely bookmarks.
Would you be happy to share your canva graphic for tshirts please?
Thank you. I’d be happy to. I’ll try to add it to this post on the weekend.
Thank you for the great ideas.
How could I get the link for the canvas graphic for tshirts?
Please and thank you.
Hi Kat,
Thank you for your kind words. The Canva graphic is linked above. You’ll find it, another (easier) awesome graphic to use that you can get through the IDTL network and step-by-step instructions here https://madisonslibrary.com/2023/06/24/book-week-2023-making-t-shirts-with-a-cricut/
Hi Madison, is the Ipswich District Teacher Librarian Network Book Week publication largely aimed at primary school students?
Largely, yes. The book has some resources around celebrating the theme – bookmarks to print and colour in, puzzles, bunting and other resources you can print. There are also book hooks (summaries) of both the Younger Readers and Older Readers shortlist. The rest of the book are one or two activities relating to each of the ShortList books. However, they don’t always create activities for all Older Reader titles. Most of the activities are suitable for younger students but could be adapted to older students.